Course Summary

This course combines politics and international relations with the study of successful leadership. Through debate, written assignments and lectures, students will learn all about the contemporary issues that dominate world politics.

Why have some countries developed stable state institutions, whereas others have degenerated into failed states? What explains regime change and regime stability? How can we strengthen international security and prosperity in a time of terrorism and civil wars? Many of the most pressing global challenges are inherently political in nature, and attendees on this course will gain a greater understanding of the reasons behind political manoeuvres.

The Oxford Royale Academy experience for adults

Where could Politics & International Relations: A Global Perspective lead you?

This course provides students with a theoretical and methodological toolkit, academic skills and empirical expertise to systematically engage with political questions. In grappling with these questions, the course explores a wide range of topics that are covered by university courses in comparative politics and international relations. Discussion is enhanced by the numerous different perspectives offered by you and your fellow students, who come to Oxford Royale Academy from all over the world. The course begins by establishing a rigorous theoretical and methodological foundation so that students are equipped with the fundamental skills to engage in the study of comparative politics and international relations. We then apply and expand on these skills by studying seven substantive topics.

Each session combines rigorous academic training with empirical case work and data analysis. It thus establishes a valuable foundation for university studies. By training students to apply academic skills to well-defined political problems, the course also prepares students for a career in political consultancy and policy development.

Is this course for me?

If you are constantly considering the questions of modern-day politics, and would like to be instrumental in changing the world for the better, then this course is for you.

Topics covered

During this course, students will examine:

State and nation building: We discuss Tilly’s (1985) famous argument that war helped build states in Europe and contrast state building in early modern Europe with state building in Latin America. The course then investigates contemporary state building and, in particular, assesses whether states form nations or vice versa.

The character of war: Students analyse characteristics of traditional and contemporary warfare and assess its implications for international humanitarian law.

Colonialism and decolonisation: We then analyse the effects of different factors associated with colonialism on a country’s long-term trajectory and derive a set of recommendations for international development.

Autocracies and democratisation: Students will learn to systematically assess the relevance of different factors associated with regime stability and regime change. Why do some countries democratise, while others remain authoritarian? Why are some authoritarian regimes more enduring than others?

Democratisation and hybrid regimes: The course also trains students to evaluate why some countries persist as hybrid regimes which are neither democratic nor authoritarian.

International Security

International Political Economy. Students will learn about the actors, causes and spread of terrorism and assess current counterterrorism regimes.

What will you get out of the Politics & International Relations course?

By the end of the course, students will have:

Discussed nation-building and the character of war

Explored different political regimes and their positive and negative aspects

Examined terrorism in our society

Become familiar with the characteristics and mechanisms of international trade and the international monetary system

Investigated the origins of poverty

Debated whether international development aid helps or undermines a country’s development

Performed a role play of a G-20 summit on a current challenge in global affairs

Welcome to the City of Oxford - your home this summer

Oxford is a city like no other, combining startlingly beautiful architecture with a buzzing, modern city centre, with superb shopping, restaurants, cafés and more. With the colleges of Oxford University at its heart, some almost 800 years old, it is a city steeped in history and academia.

Students on Oxford Royale's Oxford summer courses will have the chance to live, dine and study in this stunning city, exploring all of its major sites and discovering its hidden secrets. Through both organised trips to key landmarks and free time in the evenings, students will become acquainted with all that Oxford has to offer.

As students walk the cobbled streets and gaze up at the spires, gargoyles and honey-coloured stone buildings, they will be walking in the footsteps of some of the most influential figures in history, including prime ministers, presidents, nobel prize-winning scientists, authors and more.

Sample Timetable

Useful information for students

Accommodation

Students will be accommodated in comfortable single rooms in either Merton or University College, depending on the course chosen - please contact our registrations team if you would like more information. Accommodation is the standard accommodation for university undergraduates who study at the university, so students are able to get a flavour for what being an undergraduate at the university might be like.Bathrooms are typically shared between students of the same gender, though in some cases en-suite facilities are available.

Programme Staff

The programme is overseen by the Programme Director, who implements the day-to-day running of the programme. The Director is assisted by a team of Counsellors who very often are current members of the University of Oxford or University of Cambridge and are able to provide an insight into life at these prestigious institutions.

Eligibility & pre-requisites

Students on this course:

Must conform to our age policy.

Must be fluent or near-fluent English language speakers – if you are unsure whether your English level is suitable for this programme, please contact our Registrations Team on admin@oxford-royale.co.uk and they will be able to assist you.

Must be able to fulfil the basic requirements of the programme, in terms of attendance at lessons, meals and events. Please contact our Registrations Team for more detailed information.

Oxford Royale Academy is a part of Oxford Programs Limited, UK company number 6045196. The company contracts with institutions including Oxford University for the use of their facilities and also contracts with tutors from those institutions but does not operate under the aegis of Oxford University.